Tried & Tested: A set of clubs you can really put your 'Faith' in! by Carly Frost September 20, 2011

With the first tee shots in the Solheim Cup set to get airborne in just three days' time, it seems only appropriate to pay tribute to the support that equipment manufacturing giant Ping gives to the ladies game this week.

And what better way to do so than by testing their latest set of clubs, designed specifically for us ladies - the new Ping Faith Series. So I gathered a small group of ladies together on the wonderful new driving range at Parkstone Golf Club in Poole to test the clubs and give me their thoughts...

Introducing the new Ping Faith Series - what the manufacturer says...

Engineered especially for women, the Faith ® Series ensures high-launching, longer-carrying shots for slower swing speed players. The titanium driver, which is offered in 12° and 14° lofts, features internal weighting to promote a natural club rotation to square for improved accuracy. Its companion stainless steel fairway woods (3, 5, 7 & 9 woods) offer women an easy-to-hit alternative to long and mid irons. A blended iron/hybrid set (5H, 6H, 7-9, PW, UW, SW) provides the forgiveness and consistency to hit more greens. The ultra-light PING ULT 200 graphite shaft, which features optimal torque for improved feel and a lower kick point for higher launch, is standard. Three new Faith ® insert putters are also available.

Bea Cummins
Handicap: 14
Number of years playing: 20
Current clubs: Callaway Diablo driver, 3 & 5 wood, Cobra S2 5 iron-SW, Titleist Scotty Cameron putter.
Findings... I've had my current set of clubs about five years so I've recently been thinking about upgrading to new clubs and this has been a really interesting test.

Straight away I found the Ping Faith irons much easier to hit than my current set. They hit the ball higher and with a draw (shock horror!)

They're a fantastic-looking set of clubs, very trendy, and I love the white and burgundy colouring. It took a bit of getting used to hit a hybrid instead of a 5-iron but I absolutely loved it! It is far easier to hit off the fairway than any 5-iron I've ever used.

The driver scored highly with me too. It sits really nicely behind the ball and the weight of it is just right - not too whippy like some of the ladies clubs you pick up.

The impact sound is really solid and gives great feedback, none of those horrible tinny smash sounds you get from some new clubs.

I wouldn't part with my putter because that's the strongest part of my game and I'm not keen on these bigger headed putters.

Everything else I love - when's Father Christmas coming?

Not soon enough!

Jane West
Handicap: 8
Number of years playing: 20
Current clubs: King Cobra driver, TaylorMade 300 Series 3-wood, very old TaylorMade irons and a putter that looks like it belongs in an antique shop!
Findings... OK so for starters let's not talk about my own clubs - they're old, very old! And testing these new Ping Faith clubs today has made me realise just how much the new technology really can improve your game, without changing your technique. The irons were an instant hit (quite literally as I hit the flag with the first shot struck with the 7-iron) a dream to use, so easy and effortless - although the size of the clubhead was a shock at first. The hybrids will take a bit more getting used to; they look a bit like spoons on sticks and are obviously designed to sweep the ball up into the air! I was particularly impressed with the feel and performance of the fairway woods. Ladies woods often feel too whippy to me, in fact I use a senior flex shaft in my woods at present, but the Faith woods felt great and the styling suits my eye. I'd have to go for the 12 degree option in the driver though; the 14 degree launched my drives into orbit!

Sian Gordon
Handicap: 16
Number of years playing: 25 years on and off
Current clubs: Callaway Diablo driver, Ping Rhapsody 5 & 7-wood, Ping G10 irons, Ping Anser putter.
Findings... I've always found ladies irons too lightweight in feel and whippy so my last purchase was actually a set of men's Ping G10 irons with regular graphite shafts. But I'm conscious that I'm probably not quite strong enough to play a regular flex now and I could benefit from switching to a more flexible shaft, and hitting the new Ping Faith ladies irons has highlighted that. They are strong and not whippy in the slightest. The feel when you strike a shot is really solid. I've always loved playing my irons which is why I've resisted trying hybrids and still carry a 4-iron, but I got on really well with the Ping Faith hybrids and yes I could be tempted to make the switch, especially when the other ladies showed me how easy they were to hit from the rough. I used to carry a matching Ping Rhapsody driver but I just didn't get on with it and ended up switching to the Callaway Diablo which I hit nicely.

The Faith driver has a similar lack of appeal, for me it is most suited to a higher handicapper who is looking for extra help getting the ball up in the air and hitting it in a straight line. I struggle to hit a 3-wood which is why I don't carry one but I absolutely love the Ping Faith - it's definitely persuaded me to have the confidence to carry one again. I also love the look of the Craz-E putter - it sits nicely behind the ball and makes aiming easy, it also feels very balanced, helping me make a controlled, smooth putting stroke.

Carly Frost
Handicap: 1
Number of years playing: 18
Current clubs: TaylorMade R11 driver, Cleveland Launcher 3-wood, Callaway Razr X Tour hybrids (19, 21, 23 degrees), Srixon Z-TX 5-PW, Cleveland CG15 52 degree & 58 degree wedges, Yes! Callie putter with a 2-Thumb grip.
Findings... I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to the look of a set of irons, I prefer a smaller, sleeker clubhead shape, but I have to say the Ping Faith are one set of irons where I could forgo the 'chunky' look for the playability. I hit really solid, powerful shots and with that wonderful effortless feeling. I also gained a club in distance which is a massive plus. The hybrid clubs had a bit too much offset for me as I hit a draw shape shot anyway and don't really need the extra help creating a right-to-left ball flight, however I can see the benefit they will have for more wayward ladies. When you put them down behind the ball they look impossible to miss. The added loft is noticeable giving you the confidence to know that the ball will fly high with ease.

The Faith fairway woods were much more up my street. A classical shape head, simple but sits beautifully behind the ball, and with a low profile that encourages you to sweep shots away. I love the finish of the woods - the subtle shimmering aubergine colour is unique and different. The driver is the only club that really didn't suit me as it was too lofted and too whippy, although we were testing the 14 degree model, which in my view performed in a very similar manner to the old 3+ woods which were popular with ladies who feared the 'big stick' a few years back. So given that there is a 12 degree version available I really do think that Ping has catered nicely for both entry level and better lady players. There are also three Craz-E putters to complement your set if you're the sort of player that likes everything in your bag to match.

For more information about the Ping Faith ladies clubs visit www.ping.com